JP2017140737A - Liquid storage body and liquid jet device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid storage body which includes a filter for filtering a liquid flowing in a circulation passage and inhibits deterioration of the quality of the liquid stored therein, and to provide a liquid jet device.SOLUTION: A liquid storage body 100 is detachably attached to a liquid jet device including: a supply passage 41 which supplies a liquid to a liquid jet part for jetting the liquid; and a return passage 42 forming a circulation passage 43, which circulates the liquid, with the supply passage 41. The liquid storage body 100 includes: a liquid storage part 110 for storing the liquid; a led-out port 121 connected with the supply passage 41; a led-out passage 122 which connects the liquid storage part 110 with the led-out port 121; an introduction port 131 connected with the return passage 42; an introduction passage 132 connecting the introduction part 131 with the led-out passage 122; and a filter part 140 provided in a partial circulation passage 431 of the led-out passage 122 and the introduction passage 132, which forms the circulation passage 43, and having a filter 141 which filters the liquid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid container that contains ink and the like and a liquid ejecting apparatus that performs printing by ejecting ink onto a medium.

  Conventionally, as an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus, a liquid container (ink tank) that stores liquid (ink), a liquid ejecting unit (recording head unit) that ejects liquid, and liquid from the liquid container to the liquid ejecting unit 2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet recording apparatus that includes a supply flow path (ink supply path) to supply and performs printing by ejecting liquid from a liquid ejecting unit toward a medium is known.

  In such a liquid ejecting apparatus, a supply flow path and a liquid container are connected to form a return flow path (ink flow path) that forms a liquid circulation flow path, and a filter that filters the liquid flowing through the return flow path. There is a thing provided with. And when a foreign material mixes in a supply flow path, it is made possible to remove a foreign material by circulating a liquid with a foreign material with a supply flow path and a return flow path (for example, patent document 1).

JP 2004-50472 A

  However, in the above-described liquid ejecting apparatus, the liquid flowing through the return channel is filtered by the filter and then merged with the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit. For this reason, the quality of the liquid accommodated in a liquid storage part falls by mixing the liquid supplied toward the liquid injection part from the liquid storage part, and the liquid of the state accommodated in the liquid storage part. There is a fear.

  Such a situation is not limited to the ink jet printer, but is generally common in liquid ejecting apparatuses that filter the liquid flowing through the circulation flow path and return it to the liquid container.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid container and a liquid ejecting apparatus that can suppress deterioration of the quality of the liquid to be stored in a liquid container including a filter that filters the liquid flowing in the circulation flow path.

Hereinafter, means for solving the above-described problems and the effects thereof will be described.
The liquid container that solves the above-described problems forms a supply channel that is connected to a liquid ejecting unit that ejects the liquid so that the liquid can be supplied, and a circulation channel that circulates the liquid together with the supply channel. A liquid container that is detachably attached to a liquid ejecting apparatus including a return flow path connected to the supply flow path, and is connected to the liquid storage section that stores the liquid and the supply flow path. A lead-out port, a lead-out channel that connects the liquid storage part and the lead-out port, an inlet port that is connected to the return channel, an inlet channel that connects the inlet and the lead-out channel, A filter unit having a filter for filtering the liquid, which is provided in a partial circulation channel constituting the circulation channel among the outlet channel and the introduction channel.

  According to the above configuration, since the liquid container includes the filter unit having the filter, the filter unit is also replaced by replacing the liquid container. Further, the filter portion is provided in a flow channel (partial circulation flow channel) constituting a circulation flow channel among the outlet flow channel and the introduction flow channel in the liquid storage unit. For this reason, when performing the circulation operation | movement which circulates a liquid via a circulation flow path, the liquid which passed the filter part cannot flow into a liquid storage part easily, and the quality reduction of the liquid in a liquid storage part can be suppressed.

In the liquid container, it is preferable that the filter portion is filled with the liquid in advance.
When the filter part is not filled with liquid, that is, when the filter part is filled with gas, there is a possibility that bubbles are mixed into the supply flow path or the like by performing the circulation operation. In this regard, according to the above configuration, since the filter portion is filled with the liquid in advance, the possibility of bubbles being mixed into the supply flow path or the like can be reduced even when the circulation operation is performed.

  Further, in the liquid container, the filter section includes an inlet side filter chamber on the inlet side of the filter, an outlet side filter chamber on the outlet side of the filter, and the inlet side filter chamber. An inlet that communicates with the partial circulation flow path; and an outlet that communicates the outlet-side filter chamber and the partial circulation flow path. The outlet is preferably arranged at a position closer to the lowermost portion than the uppermost portion of the outlet port side filter chamber.

  When air bubbles are mixed in the outlet port side filter chamber, the bubbles are likely to stay at the uppermost part of the outlet port side filter chamber by floating in the outlet port side filter chamber. For this reason, when the outflow port is provided at the uppermost part of the outlet port side filter chamber, there is a possibility that bubbles remaining at the uppermost part of the outlet port side filter chamber may be discharged to the supply flow path. In this regard, according to the above configuration, the outlet is disposed at a position closer to the lowermost portion than the uppermost portion of the outlet-side filter chamber. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the risk of bubbles remaining in the uppermost part of the outlet port side filter chamber being discharged to the supply flow path.

  Further, in the liquid container, in the outlet channel, when the direction from the liquid container to the outlet is the outlet direction, the liquid container part is connected to a position where the outlet channel and the inlet channel are connected. It is preferable that a check valve for restricting the flow of the liquid in the direction opposite to the outlet direction is provided on the side.

  According to the said structure, when performing a circulation operation | movement, it can suppress more that the liquid which passed the filter part flows in into a liquid storage part. For this reason, it can further suppress that the quality of the liquid in a liquid storage part falls.

  A liquid ejecting apparatus that solves the above problems includes a liquid ejecting section that ejects liquid, a supply flow path that is connected to the liquid ejecting section so that the liquid can be supplied, and a circulating flow that circulates the liquid together with the supply flow path. A return flow path connected to the supply flow path so as to form a path, a flow mechanism for flowing the fluid in the circulation flow path, a mounting portion on which the liquid container described above is mounted, and the liquid container And a control unit that drives the flow mechanism and causes the fluid in the circulation flow path to flow in a state of being mounted on the mounting unit.

According to the above configuration, the above-described effects can be obtained in the liquid ejecting apparatus.
In the liquid ejecting apparatus, when the direction from the liquid ejecting unit toward the liquid container is a return direction in the return flow path, the control unit is configured such that the liquid container is mounted on the mounting unit. In this case, it is preferable that the flow mechanism is driven to flow the liquid in the return flow path in the return direction before the liquid is jetted from the liquid jet unit.

  According to the above configuration, when the liquid container is attached to the attachment portion, the circulation operation is performed by causing the liquid in the return flow path to flow in the return direction. For this reason, foreign substances such as bubbles mixed in the supply flow path or the like when the liquid container is mounted can be collected in the filter of the filter unit. Therefore, the quality of the liquid ejected by the liquid ejecting unit, that is, the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting unit can be improved.

  Further, in the liquid ejecting apparatus, when the direction from the liquid ejecting unit toward the liquid container in the return flow path is a return direction, the control unit is configured so that the liquid accommodating amount of the liquid accommodating unit is greater than an initial value. If the value is less than a specified value, it is preferable to drive the flow mechanism to flow the liquid in the return flow path in the return direction.

  According to the above configuration, when the amount of liquid stored in the liquid storage portion is equal to or less than the specified value, the circulation operation is performed by causing the liquid in the return flow path to flow in the return direction. For this reason, before exchanging the liquid container, foreign matters such as bubbles mixed in the circulation channel can be collected in the filter of the filter unit. Therefore, since the liquid container can be replaced in a state where the foreign matter remaining in the circulation channel is reduced, the filter unit that is to be replaced together with the liquid container can be used efficiently.

The side view which shows schematic structure of a liquid ejecting apparatus. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a liquid supply channel in the liquid ejecting apparatus. The sectional side view which shows the state in which the liquid container is not mounted | worn by the mounting part. The sectional side view which shows the state with which the liquid container was mounted | worn by the mounting part. The flowchart which shows the process routine which a control part performs in order to judge whether the liquid container was mounted | worn. The flowchart which shows the process routine which a control part performs in order to judge whether it replaces | exchanges a liquid container. The side sectional view showing the filter part concerning the 1st modification. The sectional side view which shows the filter part which concerns on a 2nd modification. The sectional side view which shows the filter part which concerns on a 3rd modification. The sectional side view which shows the filter part which concerns on a 4th modification. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the bypass channel which concerns on a 5th modification. Sectional drawing which shows the bypass channel which concerns on a 6th modification. FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating a liquid ejecting unit and a liquid container of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a seventh modification.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a liquid ejecting apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present embodiment is an ink jet printer that prints characters and images on a medium by ejecting ink as an example of a liquid onto a medium such as paper.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 includes a transport unit 13 that transports the medium M supported by the support base 12 in the transport direction Y along the surface of the support base 12, and a liquid to the medium M being transported. And a liquid ejecting unit 14 for ejecting.

  The support 12, the transport unit 13, and the liquid ejecting unit 14 are assembled in an apparatus main body 15 that includes a housing and a frame. Note that the support base 12 extends in the width direction of the medium M (the direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG. 1) in the liquid ejecting apparatus 11. Further, a cover 16 is attached to the apparatus main body 15 so as to be openable and closable.

  The transport unit 13 includes transport roller pairs 17 and 18 disposed on the upstream side and the downstream side of the support base 12 in the transport direction Y, respectively. Further, the transport unit 13 includes a guide plate 19 that is disposed on the downstream side of the transport roller pair 17 and 18 in the transport direction Y and guides the medium M while supporting it. The transport unit 13 transports the medium M along the surface of the support base 12 and the surface of the guide plate 19 by the transport roller pairs 17 and 18 rotating while sandwiching the medium M.

  The liquid ejecting unit 14 is guided by guide shafts 21 and 22 extending along a scanning direction X that is a width direction of the medium M perpendicular to (crossing) the transport direction Y of the medium M, and the guide shafts 21 and 22. And a carriage 23 that can reciprocate in the scanning direction X. The carriage 23 moves in the scanning direction X with the drive of the carriage motor 24 (see FIG. 2).

  At least one liquid ejecting section 27 (two in the present embodiment) having a nozzle forming surface 26 on which a nozzle 25 for ejecting liquid (ink) is formed is attached to the lower end of the carriage 23. That is, the liquid ejecting unit 27 is attached to the carriage 23 such that the nozzle forming surface 26 faces the support base 12 at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction Z, and the scanning direction X together with the carriage 23 as the carriage motor 24 is driven. Move to. The liquid ejecting units 27 are arranged so as to be separated from each other by a predetermined distance in the scanning direction X and shifted by a predetermined distance in the transport direction Y.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a part of a supply mechanism 30 that supplies liquid from the liquid container 100 that stores liquid to the liquid ejecting unit 27 is attached to the upper side of the carriage 23. The supply mechanism 30 and the liquid container 100 are provided in at least one set (four sets in this embodiment) for each type of liquid.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a mounting portion 31 to which the liquid container 100 is detachably mounted is provided upstream of the supply mechanism 30. Similar to the liquid container 100, the mounting portion 31 is provided for each type of liquid. When the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 is a printer, the liquid stored in the liquid container 100 includes colored inks such as cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, black ink, and white ink, and ink on the medium M. And a functional liquid for adjusting the fixing mode.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the supply mechanism 30 includes a supply flow channel 41 that supplies liquid from the liquid container 100 to the liquid ejecting unit 27 and a return flow that forms a circulation flow channel 43 that circulates the liquid together with the supply flow channel 41. A path 42 and a bypass channel 44 (bypass channel) that connects the supply channel 41 and the return channel 42 that form the circulation channel 43 are provided. That is, in this embodiment, the return flow path 42 is connected to the supply flow path 41 so as to form the circulation flow path 43 together with the supply flow path 41.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the supply channel 41 includes a supply pump 51 that causes the liquid in the supply channel 41 to flow, a liquid storage chamber 52 that stores the liquid, and a pressure adjustment valve 53 that adjusts the pressure of the liquid. And are provided.

  The supply pump 51 may be, for example, a diaphragm pump, and discharges the liquid sucked from the liquid container 100 side to the liquid ejecting unit 27 side. Thus, the supply pump 51 supplies the liquid stored in the liquid container 100 toward the liquid ejecting unit 27. In the following description, supplying the liquid to the liquid ejecting unit 27 by driving the supply pump 51 is also referred to as “supply operation”, and the flow direction of the liquid during the supply operation is also referred to as “supply direction F1”. Further, the supply pump 51 of the present embodiment allows the liquid to flow in the supply direction F1 when not driven, while restricting the liquid from flowing in the direction opposite to the supply direction F1. Function as.

  The liquid storage chamber 52 includes a recess 521 communicating with the supply channel 41 and the return channel 42, a flexible member 522 that closes the opening of the recess 521, and the volume of the liquid storage chamber 52 with respect to the flexible member 522. And a spring 523 biased in the direction of decreasing. And the liquid storage chamber 52 relieves the fluctuation | variation of the supply pressure of the liquid to the pressure adjustment valve 53 by the supply pump 51 by displacing the flexible member 522. FIG.

  The pressure adjustment valve 53 includes a third filter 531 that filters the liquid that passes through, a supply chamber 532 that houses the third filter 531, a pressure chamber 534 that communicates with the supply chamber 532 via the communication hole 533, and a pressure chamber 534. And a supply chamber 532, and a spring 536 that biases the valve body 535 in the valve closing direction. That is, the valve body 535 is inserted through the communication hole 533, and the valve body 535 urged by the spring 536 is provided so as to close the communication hole 533.

  The pressure chamber 534 is configured by a diaphragm 537 whose part of the wall surface can be bent and deformed along the biasing direction of the spring 536. The diaphragm 537 receives a force corresponding to the external pressure (atmospheric pressure) on the outer surface side, and receives a force corresponding to the pressure of the liquid in the pressure chamber 534 on the inner surface side. Accordingly, the diaphragm 537 is deflected and displaced in accordance with a change in the differential pressure between the pressure in the pressure chamber 534 and the pressure received on the outer surface side.

  The supply chamber 532 is held in a pressurized state by the liquid pressurized and supplied from the liquid container 100. When the pressure in the pressure chamber 534 is lower than the pressure received on the outer surface side and the pressure difference between the pressure in the pressure chamber 534 and the pressure received on the outer surface side becomes larger than a predetermined pressure difference, the valve body 535 is moved to the spring 536. From the state where the communication between the pressure chamber 534 and the supply chamber 532 is restricted by the urging force, the pressure chamber 534 and the supply chamber 532 are communicated. Subsequently, when the liquid flows from the supply chamber 532 into the pressure chamber 534, the pressure difference between the pressure in the pressure chamber 534 and the pressure received on the outer surface returns to a predetermined pressure difference, the valve body 535 is moved to the pressure chamber 534. And communication with the supply chamber 532 are restricted. In this way, the pressure adjustment valve 53 adjusts the pressure of the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting unit 27 via the supply channel 41 in order to maintain the liquid supply pressure to the liquid ejecting unit 27 at a predetermined pressure. To do.

  Further, the liquid ejecting unit 27 includes a fourth filter 271 that filters the liquid supplied from the pressure regulating valve 53 and a common liquid chamber 272 that stores the liquid supplied to the nozzle 25. The fourth filter 271 is a filter provided inside the liquid ejecting unit 27 in order to filter the liquid flowing into the common liquid chamber 272.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the return channel 42 has one end connected to the liquid storage chamber 52 and the other end connected to the mounting portion 31 (liquid container 100). The return flow path 42 is provided with a circulation pump 54 as an example of a “flow mechanism”. The circulation pump 54 may be configured by, for example, a gear pump or a diaphragm pump, and discharges the liquid sucked from the liquid ejecting unit 27 side to the liquid container 100 side. In the following description, the direction in which the liquid flows through the return flow path 42 by driving the circulation pump 54 is also referred to as “return direction F2”.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the bypass channel 44 includes a part between the supply pump 51 and the mounting part 31 in the supply channel 41 and a part between the circulation pump 54 and the mounting part 31 in the return channel 42. Connected. Further, the bypass flow path 44 is disposed along the vertical direction Z so that the vertical direction Z is the fluid flow direction. That is, the bypass flow path 44 is a flow path that connects the supply flow path 41 disposed vertically below and the return flow path 42 disposed vertically upward.

  The bypass flow path 44 is provided with a switching valve 55 that switches the fluid flow state in the bypass flow path 44. When the supply valve 51 is driven to cause the liquid to flow in the supply direction F <b> 1, the switching valve 55 bypasses the bubbles included in the liquid flowing from the liquid container 100 toward the liquid ejecting unit 27. The valve 44 is opened so as to float up the flow path 44 and be guided to the return flow path 42. Further, the switching valve 55 drives the circulation pump 54 so that when the liquid flows through the return flow path 42 in the return direction F2, the liquid flowing through the return flow path 42 in the return direction F2 flows into the bypass flow path 44. In other words, the liquid is closed so that the liquid flows inside the liquid container 100.

  Next, the mounting portion 31 and the liquid container 100 of the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of one liquid container 100 and one mounting portion 31 to which the one liquid container 100 is mounted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting portion 31 includes a supply needle 311 in which a supply flow path 41 is formed, a feedback needle 312 in which a return flow path 42 is formed, and a storage element 101 attached to the liquid container 100. And a reading unit 313 that reads stored information.

  Here, in the mounting / demounting direction of the liquid container 100 with respect to the mounting part 31, if the wall part of the mounting part 31 facing the liquid container 100 is an opposing wall part 314, the supply needle 311 and the feedback needle 312 are opposed to each other. It protrudes from the part 314 so that it may follow the said attachment / detachment direction. The supply needle 311 is formed vertically below the feedback needle 312. The supply needle 311 constitutes one end of the supply flow path 41, and the feedback needle 312 constitutes one end of the return flow path 42.

  The reading unit 313 is provided vertically above the opposing wall unit 314 and is disposed vertically above the feedback needle 312. The reading unit 313 functions as an interface that connects the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 and the storage element 101. Note that the reading unit 313 may have a function of writing information to the storage element 101. Further, the reading unit 313 may read information stored in the storage element 101 in contact with the storage element 101 or stored in the storage element 101 without contacting the storage element 101. Information may be read by wireless communication.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid container 100 includes a casing 102 that constitutes an exterior, a liquid storage unit 110 that stores liquid, a lead-out port 121 that is connected to the supply channel 41, and a liquid storage unit 110. And a lead-out flow path 122 connecting the lead-out port 121. The liquid container 100 includes an inlet 131 connected to the return channel 42, an introduction channel 132 that connects the inlet 131 and the outlet channel 122, and a filter unit 140 that is provided in the introduction channel 132. It is equipped with.

  The housing 102 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. In the housing 102, the storage element 101 is provided at a position facing the reading unit 313 when the liquid container 100 is mounted on the mounting unit 31. The storage element 101 stores information related to the liquid storage amount of the liquid storage unit 110 that changes as the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 is used, and stores information related to the type of the liquid. In addition, the housing 102 accommodates the liquid container 110, the outlet channel 122, the inlet channel 132, and the filter unit 140 among the constituent members of the liquid container 100.

  The liquid storage unit 110 has a bag shape made of an elastic material. As an example, the liquid storage unit 110 may be formed in a bag shape by welding the outer edges of a plurality of film members to each other. In addition, the liquid storage unit 110 is provided with a derivation unit 111 that is connected to the derivation flow path 122 and guides the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 110 to the outside.

  The lead-out part 111 allows the liquid to be led out from the inside of the liquid storage part 110 to the second filter 112, and permits introduction of the liquid from the liquid storage part 110, while introducing the liquid into the liquid storage part 110. And a check valve 113 for limiting the pressure. Here, the check valve 113 is provided at the outlet portion 111 of the liquid storage portion 110 and is provided closer to the liquid storage portion 110 than the connection position between the outlet passage 122 and the introduction passage 132. I can say that. In addition, in the outlet channel 122, if the direction from the liquid storage unit 110 toward the outlet port 121 is “leading direction F <b> 3”, the check valve 113 is liquid in the direction opposite to the outlet direction F <b> 3 in the outlet channel 122. It regulates the flow.

  The outlet port 121 and the inlet port 131 include a seal member 151 that suppresses liquid leakage from the outlet port 121 and the inlet port 131, and a valve member 152 that restricts the flow of liquid through the outlet port 121 and the inlet port 131. And a spring member 153 that urges the valve member 152 toward the seal member 151. For this reason, when the liquid container 100 is not attached to the attachment portion 31, the valve member 152 closes the opening of the seal member 151 at the outlet 121 and the inlet 131, thereby accommodating the liquid container 100. The leaked liquid is prevented from leaking from the outlet 121 and the inlet 131.

  In the present embodiment, a part of the outlet passage 122 and all the inlet passages 132 constitute the circulation passage 43 together with the supply passage 41 and the return passage 42. In the following description, the flow path constituting the circulation flow path 43 out of the derivation flow path 122 and the introduction flow path 132 is also referred to as a “partial circulation flow path 431”. That is, in the present embodiment, the partial circulation channel 431 is the circulation channel 43 formed inside the liquid container 100.

  The filter unit 140 includes a first filter 141 that filters the liquid passing therethrough, an inlet-side filter chamber 142 that is formed on the inlet 131 side when viewed from the first filter 141, and an outlet 121 that is viewed from the first filter 141. And an outlet port side filter chamber 143 formed on the side. In addition, the filter unit 140 includes an inlet 144 for communicating the inlet port side filter chamber 142 and the inlet channel 132 (partial circulation channel 431), an outlet port side filter chamber 143 and the inlet channel 132 (partial circulation channel). 431). In addition, it can be said that the filter part 140 is provided in the partial circulation flow path 431 in that it is provided in the introduction flow path 132.

  In the inlet-side filter chamber 142 and the outlet-side filter chamber 143, the inflow port 144 is opened vertically above the outflow port 145. When the liquid container 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 31, the outlet 145 is closer to the lowermost portion than the uppermost portion of the outlet-side filter chamber 143 in the vertical direction Z, and the outlet-side filter The chamber 143 opens at a position above the bottom surface.

  The first filter 141 is arranged so as to divide the inlet port side filter chamber 142 and the outlet port side filter chamber 143 in the attachment / detachment direction of the liquid container 100 with respect to the mounting portion 31 which is a direction intersecting the vertical direction Z. Further, the outlet port side filter chamber 143 and the outlet port side filter chamber 143 are preferably filled with the same type of liquid as the liquid stored in the liquid storage portion 110. The same applies to the outlet channel 122 and the inlet channel 132 connected to the filter unit 140.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the liquid container 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 31 of the liquid ejecting apparatus 11, the valve member 152 of the outlet 121 is pressed by the supply needle 311, and the valve member 152 of the inlet 131. Is pressed by the return needle 312. Thus, at the outlet port 121 and the inlet port 131, the valve member 152 is changed from the state of closing the seal member 151 to the state of opening, so that the supply channel 41 and the outlet channel 122 communicate with each other, and the return channel 42 and The introduction channel 132 is in communication. Further, the storage element 101 of the liquid container 100 is in contact with the reading unit 313 of the mounting unit 31.

  In this way, as shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the liquid circulation channel 43 is configured including the circulation channel 43, the return channel 42, and the partial circulation channel 431. The circulation channel 43 is provided with a circulation pump 54 and a filter unit 140. For this reason, by causing the liquid to flow by driving the circulation pump 54, the liquid circulating in the circulation passage 43 passes through the filter unit 140, and foreign matters such as bubbles contained in the liquid are removed. In the following description, the direction in which the liquid flows through the circulation flow path 43 by driving the circulation pump 54 is also referred to as “circulation direction F4”, and the flow of the liquid in the circulation direction F4 is also referred to as “circulation operation”.

  The circulation direction F4 is the supply direction F1 as well as the return direction F2. That is, in the circulation operation, the liquid in the supply flow path 41 flows in the supply direction F1, and the liquid in the return flow path 42 flows in the return direction F2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 includes a control unit 60 that comprehensively controls the apparatus. The control unit 60 controls driving of components of the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 such as the carriage motor 24, the liquid ejecting unit 27, the supply pump 51, the circulation pump 54, and the switching valve 55. Thus, the control unit 60 ejects liquid from the liquid ejecting unit 27 in accordance with the conveyance of the medium M, performs a supply operation, or performs a circulation operation. In addition, the control unit 60 acquires information stored in the storage element 101 of the liquid container 100 via the reading unit 313.

  Next, the specifications of the first filter 141 of the liquid container 100, the second filter 112 of the liquid container 110, the third filter 531 of the pressure adjustment valve 53, and the fourth filter 271 of the liquid ejection unit 27 will be described.

  First, each of the filters 112, 141, 271 and 531 is formed of, for example, a net-like body such as a metal or resin net, a porous body, or a metal plate having fine through holes. Specific examples of the mesh state include metal mesh filters and metal fibers, for example, SUS fine wires made into a felt shape, or compression sintered metal sintered filters, electroforming metal filters, electron beam processed metal filters, Examples include laser beam processed metal filters.

  The filter 112, 141, 271 and 531 have a filtering particle size such that a foreign matter in the liquid does not reach the opening of the nozzle 25 (hereinafter referred to as “nozzle opening”), for example, a diameter of the nozzle opening, for example, 20 μm ( It is preferable to be 15 μm (0.015 mm) smaller than 0.020 mm). When a stainless steel mesh filter is used as the filter, a twilled weave (the filter particle size of which is smaller than the diameter of the nozzle opening (for example, 20 μm)) is used to prevent foreign matters in the liquid from reaching the nozzle opening (for example, 20 μm). The filtration particle size is preferably 10 μm.

  The filtration particle size of the replaceable first filter 141 accommodated in the liquid container 100 is preferably equal to or less than the filtration particle size of the third filter 531 and the fourth filter 271 provided in the liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, when the filtration particle size of the third filter 531 and the fourth filter 271 is set to a twilled weave (filtration particle size 10 μm) smaller than the diameter of the nozzle opening (for example, 20 μm), the first filter 141 is the third filter It is preferable to use a twilled weave (filtering particle size 5 μm) having a smaller filtration particle size than 531 and the fourth filter 271.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, since the 1st filter 141 accommodated in the liquid container 100 is replaced | exchanged by exchanging the liquid container 100, the specification of the said 1st filter 141 is the liquid accommodation of the liquid container 100. Preferably, it is determined based on the amount. Specifically, it is preferable to determine the specifications of the first filter 141 so that the expiration date of the first filter 141 is reached when the liquid storage amount of the liquid storage unit 110 decreases. According to this, even if the liquid container 100 is replaced because the liquid storage capacity of the liquid storage unit 110 is lost, the first filter 141 is replaced at an optimal time.

  Now, in the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 that mounts the liquid container 100 on the mounting portion 31 as in the present embodiment, bubbles are formed in the flow paths such as the supply flow path 41 and the outlet flow path 122 when the liquid container 100 is mounted. Foreign matter such as may be mixed. In this case, when the ejection (printing) of the liquid to the medium M is started, there is a possibility that the liquid ejecting unit 27 cannot eject the liquid normally because foreign matters are mixed into the liquid ejecting unit 27 together with the liquid. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control unit 60 performs the circulation operation when the liquid container 100 is newly mounted on the mounting unit 31.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, a processing routine executed by the control unit 60 when the liquid container 100 is replaced will be described. Note that this processing routine is a processing routine that is executed in a predetermined control cycle when the liquid container 100 is not mounted on the mounting portion 31 of the liquid ejecting apparatus 11, and is executed for each of the plurality of liquid containers 100. Processing routine.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the liquid container 100 is attached to the attachment part 31 to which the liquid container 100 is not attached (Step S <b> 11), and the liquid container 100 is attached. If not (step S11: NO), this processing routine is temporarily terminated. On the other hand, when the liquid container 100 is mounted (step S11: YES), the control unit 60 opens the switching valve 55 (step S12) and allows the bubbles to float in the bypass channel 44. Here, “set to the valve open state” means that if the switching valve 55 is open, the valve is kept open, and if the switching valve 55 is closed, the valve is opened. Then, the controller 60 drives the circulation pump 54 (step S13), and causes the liquid to flow in the return direction F2 in the return flow path 42 to perform the circulation operation.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the filter unit 140 provided in the circulation flow path 43 is replaced simultaneously with the replacement of the liquid container 100. For this reason, when a lot of liquids are continuously used in a short period of time, the liquid container is reduced by reducing the amount of liquid stored in the liquid container 110, although the use of the filter unit 140 can be continued. It may be necessary to replace 100. Therefore, in such a case, in order to effectively use the filter unit 140, the control unit 60 performs a circulation operation before the liquid container 100 is removed.

  Next, a processing routine executed by the control unit 60 when the liquid container 100 is replaced will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. This processing routine is a processing routine that is executed for each predetermined control cycle, and is a processing routine that is executed for each liquid container 100.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the liquid storage amount C of the liquid storage unit 110 is equal to or less than a specified value Cd (Step S <b> 21). The liquid storage amount C of the liquid storage unit 110 may be calculated by counting the number of droplets ejected from the liquid ejection unit 27, or a measurement unit that measures the liquid amount is provided in the liquid storage unit 110. The calculation may be performed based on the measurement result by the measurement unit. Further, the specified value Cd is an amount smaller than the initial value of the liquid storage amount C of the liquid storage unit 110, and the liquid storage unit 110 is almost out of liquid. That is, the case where the liquid storage amount C of the liquid storage unit 110 is equal to or less than the specified value Cd is a state where the use of the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 cannot be continued unless the liquid storage body 100 is replaced.

  When the liquid storage amount C of the liquid storage unit 110 is larger than the specified value Cd (step S21: NO), the control unit 60 once ends this processing routine. On the other hand, when the liquid storage amount C of the liquid storage unit 110 is equal to or less than the specified value Cd (step S21: YES), the control unit 60 closes the switching valve 55 (step S22) and drives the circulation pump 54. (Step S23). Here, “to close the valve” means to close the valve if the switching valve 55 is open, and to maintain the closed state if the switching valve 55 is closed. In this way, the control unit 60 causes the circulation operation. Thereafter, the control unit 60 notifies that the liquid container 100 (filter unit 140) is to be replaced (step S24), and once ends this processing routine.

Next, the operation of the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 of this embodiment will be described.
In the liquid ejecting apparatus 11, when the liquid is ejected to the medium M, the liquid is supplied from the liquid storage unit 110 toward the liquid ejecting unit 27, and the liquid is supplied from the nozzle 25 of the liquid ejecting unit 27 to the medium M. It is injected toward Here, in the case where bubbles are included in the liquid supplied from the liquid container 100 toward the liquid ejecting unit 27, the bubbles flow into the return flow path 42 by rising over the bypass flow path 44. For this reason, it is difficult for bubbles to flow into the supply flow path 41, and it is difficult for bubbles to be mixed into the liquid ejecting unit 27.

  In addition, when the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 is continuously used, when the liquid accommodation amount of the liquid container 100 becomes a specified value or less, a circulation operation is performed, and the foreign matter in the circulation channel 43 is filtered by the filter of the liquid container 100. Part 140 (first filter 141) is collected. Further, after the liquid circulation operation is performed, a notification that the replacement of the liquid container 100 is urged is made, and the user of the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 performs the replacement operation of the liquid container 100.

  When a new liquid container 100 is attached to the liquid ejecting apparatus 11, a circulation operation is performed before the liquid is ejected from the liquid ejecting unit 27 toward the medium M. For this reason, even when foreign matter such as bubbles is mixed into the inlet 131 and outlet 121 of the liquid container 100 when the new liquid container 100 is mounted, the foreign matter is filtered out by the filter unit 140 (first portion) of the liquid container 100. 1 filter 141).

  Moreover, since the filter part 140 of the liquid container 100 is filled with the liquid in advance, the operation of filling the filter part 140 with the liquid is not performed before the circulation operation. That is, since the circulation operation is performed promptly after the replacement of the liquid container 100, the time required to resume the use of the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 is shortened.

According to the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since the liquid container 100 includes the filter unit 140, the filter unit 140 can be replaced by replacing the liquid container 100. In addition, the filter unit 140 is provided in a channel (partial circulation channel 431) that constitutes the circulation channel 43 among the outlet channel 122 and the introduction channel 132 in the liquid storage unit 110. For this reason, when the circulation operation of circulating the liquid through the circulation channel 43 is performed, the liquid that has passed through the filter unit 140 is less likely to flow into the liquid storage unit 110, and the deterioration of the quality of the liquid in the liquid storage unit 110 is suppressed. can do.

  (2) When the filter unit 140 is not filled with a liquid, that is, when the filter unit 140 is filled with a gas, there is a possibility that bubbles may be mixed into the supply channel 41 or the like by performing a circulation operation. is there. In this regard, since the filter unit 140 of the present embodiment is preliminarily filled with liquid, the possibility of bubbles being mixed into the supply flow path 41 and the like can be reduced when a circulation operation is performed.

  (3) When bubbles are mixed into the outlet port side filter chamber 143 filled with liquid, the bubbles are likely to stay at the uppermost part of the outlet port side filter chamber 143 by floating in the outlet port side filter chamber 143. For this reason, when the outflow port 145 is provided at the uppermost part of the outlet port side filter chamber 143, the bubbles remaining at the uppermost part of the outlet port side filter chamber 143 are supplied through the outlet port 145 and the partial circulation channel 431. There is a risk of being discharged to the path 41.

  In this regard, according to the present embodiment, the outlet 145 opens at a position closer to the lowermost portion than the uppermost portion of the outlet-side filter chamber 143. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the possibility that bubbles remaining in the uppermost part of the outlet-side filter chamber 143 are supplied to the supply flow channel 41 via the outflow port 145 and the partial circulation flow channel 431.

  (4) Since the check valve 113 is provided closer to the liquid container 110 than the connection position between the outlet channel 122 and the inlet channel 132, the liquid that has passed through the filter unit 140 is used when performing a circulation operation. Inflow into the liquid storage unit 110 can be further suppressed. For this reason, it can further suppress that the quality of the liquid in the liquid accommodating part 110 falls.

  (5) Since the circulation operation is executed when the liquid container 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 31, foreign matters such as bubbles mixed in the supply flow path 41 and the like by the mounting operation of the liquid container 100 are collected by the filter unit 140. be able to. Therefore, the quality of the liquid ejected by the liquid ejecting unit 27, that is, the quality of the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting unit 27 can be improved.

  (6) Since the circulation operation is performed when the liquid storage capacity of the liquid storage unit 110 becomes equal to or less than the specified value, foreign matters such as bubbles mixed in the circulation flow path 43 are removed before the liquid storage body 100 is replaced. It can be collected by the filter unit 140. Therefore, since the liquid container 100 can be replaced with a reduced amount of foreign matter remaining in the circulation channel 43, the filter unit 140 that is to be replaced together with the liquid container 100 can be used efficiently.

  (7) Since the detour channel 44 connecting the supply channel 41 arranged vertically below and the return channel 42 arranged vertically above in the vertical direction Z is provided, the supply channel 41 flows during the supply operation. Bubbles contained in the liquid can flow into the return flow path 42 via the bypass flow path 44. Therefore, the amount of bubbles included in the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting unit 27 can be reduced.

  (8) Since the switching valve 55 is provided in the bypass flow path 44, the liquid that flows in the feedback flow path 42 in the feedback direction F2 flows into the bypass flow path 44 by closing the switching valve 55 during the circulation operation. Can be prevented. That is, the liquid that flows in the return direction F2 through the return flow path 42 during the circulation operation is caused to flow into the liquid container 100, and foreign matters such as bubbles contained in the liquid are collected by the filter unit 140 (first filter 141). be able to.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as shown below.
The storage element 101 may store information related to the specification of the first filter 141 of the liquid container 100. In this case, the control unit 60 estimates the expiration date of the first filter 141 based on the information about the first filter 141 stored in the storage element 101, and replaces the first filter 141 based on the expiration date, that is, the liquid The replacement of the container 100 may be notified.

  The storage element 101 may be separable from the liquid container 100 as long as it is paired with the liquid container 100. In this case, it is preferable that the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 includes a mounting portion 31 for mounting the liquid container 100, a first mounting portion, and a second mounting portion for mounting the storage element 101. Further, when liquid leaks from the first mounting portion, the second mounting portion is provided vertically above the first mounting portion in order to prevent the liquid from adhering to the second mounting portion. Is preferred.

  The filter unit 140 may be the filter unit 160 shown in FIG. That is, in the state where the liquid container 100 is attached to the liquid ejecting apparatus 11, the inlet port side filter chamber 162 may be disposed vertically above the outlet port side filter chamber 163. In this case, the outlet 121 may be formed so as to open in the bottom wall of the outlet-side filter chamber 143.

  The filter unit 140 may be the filter unit 170 shown in FIG. That is, similarly to the filter unit 160, the inlet port side filter chamber 172 may be arranged vertically above the outlet port side filter chamber 173 in a state where the liquid container 100 is attached to the liquid ejecting apparatus 11. Then, a communication hole 174 that communicates the inside and outside of the introduction port side filter chamber 172 may be provided on the upper wall of the introduction port side filter chamber 172, and the communication hole 174 may be closed with a gas-liquid separation membrane 175.

  According to this, the bubbles trapped in the first filter 141 by the execution of the circulation operation remain in the vertical upper part of the inlet side filter chamber 142, that is, in a state in contact with the gas-liquid separation film 175. For this reason, the air bubbles collected by the first filter 141 can be discharged from the inlet side filter chamber 142 via the gas-liquid separation membrane 175. Note that the pressure outside the gas-liquid separation membrane 175 is set lower than the pressure inside the gas-liquid separation membrane 175 (on the inlet-side filter chamber 142 side) so that bubbles are easily discharged from the inlet-side filter chamber 142. Also good.

  The filter unit 140 may be the filter unit 180 shown in FIG. That is, the volume of the inlet port side filter chamber 182 may be larger than the volume of the outlet port side filter chamber 183. Note that the volume of the inlet-side filter chamber 182 is preferably equal to or greater than the volume of the supply flow path 41 and the return flow path 42 of the supply mechanism 30.

  According to this, in the state where the supply flow path 41 and the return flow path 42 of the supply mechanism 30 are not filled with the liquid, the initial flow of filling the supply flow path 41 and the return flow path 42 with the liquid is performed. By performing the operation, the gas (air) in the supply channel 41 and the return channel 42 can be accommodated in the inlet-side filter chamber 142. That is, when performing the initial filling, it is not necessary to perform an operation of applying a negative pressure to the nozzle 25 of the liquid ejecting unit 27 to discharge the gas in the supply flow path 41 and the return flow path 42 from the nozzle 25. it can.

  In addition, in the filter unit 180 illustrated in FIG. 9, as illustrated by a two-dot chain line, the inlet-side filter chamber 142 and the liquid storage unit 110 may be provided to overlap each other. According to this, it can suppress that the upper limit of the liquid storage capacity of the liquid storage part 110 falls because the area | region which accommodates the liquid storage part 110 is compressed by the inlet side filter chamber 182. FIG.

  The filter unit 140 may be a filter unit 190 as shown in FIGS. Here, in the filter unit 190, the first filter 191 is a liquid that intersects (orthogonally) the inlet port side filter chamber 192 and the outlet port side filter chamber 193 with both the mounting direction of the liquid container 100 and the vertical direction Z. The container 100 is partitioned in the width direction W. For this reason, the area of the first filter 191 can be increased while suppressing the liquid container 100 from increasing in the width direction W.

  -The filter part 140 and the partial circulation flow path 431 do not need to be filled with a liquid. In this case, it is preferable that after the liquid container 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 31 of the liquid ejecting apparatus 11, a filling operation for filling the filter portion 140 and the partial circulation flow path 431 with the liquid is performed.

  -It is not necessary to provide the switching valve 55 in the detour channel 44. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, in the supply flow channel 41, the upper surface of the flow channel on the upstream side of the connection portion with the bypass flow channel 44 is made higher, while the upper surface of the flow channel on the downstream side of the connection portion. Is preferably lowered. According to this, it is possible to make it easier for the bubbles Bu contained in the liquid flowing in the supply direction F <b> 1 to flow into the bypass channel 44.

  A one-way valve that allows the flow of liquid from the supply flow path 41 to the return flow path 42 and restricts the flow of liquid from the return flow path 42 to the supply flow path 41 instead of the switching valve 55 Valve) may be provided.

  As shown in FIG. 13, a three-way valve 56 may be provided at the connection site of the return flow path 42 and the bypass flow path 44 instead of the switching valve 55. Here, in the return flow path 42, with the three-way valve 56 as a reference, the flow path on the liquid ejecting unit 27 side is the first return flow path 421, and the flow path on the mounting section 31 side is the second return flow path 422. To do. The three-way valve 56 can be switched between a state in which only the first return channel 421 and the second return channel 422 are communicated and a state in which only the first return channel 421 and the bypass channel 44 are communicated. . In this case, the three-way valve 56 preferably communicates only the first return flow path 421 and the second return flow path 422 during the circulation operation.

  Further, in this case, the circulation pump 54 is reversely driven to cause the liquid to flow in the return flow path 42 in the direction opposite to the return direction F2, so that the liquid led out from the outlet 121 of the liquid container 100 is liquid ejected. If it can be supplied to the unit 27, it may be as follows. That is, even if the three-way valve 56 communicates only the first return flow path 421 and the bypass flow path 44 and performs a supply operation of supplying liquid to the liquid ejecting unit 27 via the supply flow path 41 and the circulation flow path 43. Good. According to this, the supply pump 51 and the circulation pump 54 are driven simultaneously in parallel or alternately, thereby stabilizing the supply of liquid to the liquid ejecting unit 27 or increasing the supply amount. Can be.

  The bypass channel 44 may not be provided. In this case, a bubble reservoir (capturing part) for capturing bubbles may be provided in the outlet channel 122. The bubble reservoir may be a space formed so as to extend upward from the outlet channel 122.

  As illustrated in FIG. 14, the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 may be a liquid ejecting apparatus 11 </ b> A that supplies the liquid stored in the liquid container 100 to the liquid ejecting unit 14 due to a water head difference. That is, in this case, the mounting portion 31 is provided vertically above the liquid ejecting unit 14, and the liquid container 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 31. According to this configuration, the liquid can be supplied to the liquid ejecting unit 27 without the supply pump 51 that supplies the liquid.

  At the time of initial filling, the liquid container 100 for initial filling is attached, and the liquid in the circulation channel 43 is collected while the air in the circulation channel 43 is collected in the inlet side filter chamber 142 of the filter unit 140 by the circulation operation. May be filled. In this case, the volume of the inlet-side filter chamber 142 is preferably at least larger than the volume of the circulation channel 43. Moreover, the area of the 1st filter 141 of the filter part 140 of the liquid container 100 at the time of initial filling and normal use may differ, and may be equal.

The specification of the filter unit 140 such as the area and material of the filter 141 may be changed according to the type of liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 110 of the liquid container 100.
The outlet 145 may be formed so as to open on the bottom surface of the outlet port side filter chamber 143 or may be formed so as to open on the upper surface of the outlet port side filter chamber 143.

The circulation operation may be executed at a predetermined timing set in advance, may be executed every predetermined time interval, or may be executed based on an instruction from the user.
In the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, when the liquid storage amount C of the liquid storage unit 110 becomes equal to or less than the specified value Cd when the liquid is being ejected from the liquid ejection unit 27 toward the medium M, the medium After the ejection of the liquid with respect to M is completed, the processes of steps S22 to S24 may be executed. Further, the ejection of the liquid onto the medium M may be interrupted, and the processes in steps S22 to S24 may be executed.

  The processing of steps S22 and S23 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is performed in such a way that the liquid storage amount C of the liquid storage unit 110 is smaller than the initial value of the liquid storage amount C of the liquid storage unit 110, and the specified value Cd (ink It may be executed when the specified value Cn (increment threshold) is larger than (end threshold). That is, the circulation operation does not have to be performed immediately before the liquid container 100 is replaced. In this case, step S24 need not be executed. Moreover, it may replace with step S24 and you may alert | report that the liquid storage capacity of the liquid container 100 became small.

  -In the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the control part 60 does not need to perform the process of step S22, S23. That is, the circulation operation does not have to be performed immediately before the liquid container 100 is replaced.

  When the reading unit 313 has a writing function for the storage element 101, information to be written to the storage element 101 includes the date on which the liquid container 100 is mounted, the amount of liquid derived from the liquid container 100, and the liquid container 100. The liquid storage capacity (remaining amount) may be sufficient. Further, the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 (control unit 60) may notify the user of a warning based on the information.

The check valve 113 may be provided between the liquid storage unit 110 and the connection portion of the introduction flow path 132 and the discharge flow path 122 in the discharge flow path 122.
-The check valve 113 may not be provided.

  The liquid ejecting apparatus 11 may be of a line head type that does not include the carriage 23 that holds the liquid ejecting unit 27 but includes a line head that covers the entire width of the medium M.

  The medium M is not limited to paper, but may be a plastic film, a thin plate, or the like, or may be a cloth used in a printing apparatus, clothing such as a T-shirt, or a three-dimensional object such as stationery or tableware.

  The liquid ejected by the liquid ejecting unit 27 is not limited to ink, and may be, for example, a liquid material in which functional material particles are dispersed or mixed in the liquid. For example, recording is performed by ejecting a liquid material in which a material such as an electrode material or a color material (pixel material) used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL (electroluminescence) display, and a surface emitting display is dispersed or dissolved. It may be configured.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11, 11A ... Liquid ejecting apparatus, 12 ... Support stand, 13 ... Conveying part, 14 ... Liquid ejecting unit, 15 ... Apparatus main body, 16 ... Cover, 17 ... Conveying roller pair, 18 ... Conveying roller pair, 19 ... Guide plate, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 ... Guide shaft, 22 ... Guide shaft, 23 ... Carriage, 24 ... Carriage motor, 25 ... Nozzle, 26 ... Nozzle formation surface, 27 ... Liquid injection part, 271 ... 4th filter, 272 ... Common liquid chamber, 30 ... Supply Mechanism 31 ... Mounting part 311 ... Supply needle 312 ... Feedback needle 313 ... Reading part 314 ... Counter wall part 41 ... Supply flow path 42 ... Return flow path 421 ... First return flow path 422 ... Second return flow path, 43 ... Circulation flow path, 431 ... Partial circulation flow path, 44 ... Detour flow path, 51 ... Supply pump, 52 ... Liquid storage chamber, 521 ... Recess, 522 ... Flexible member, 523 ... Spring 53 ... Pressure regulating valve, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 31 ... Filter, 531 ... 3rd filter, 532 ... Supply chamber, 533 ... Communication hole, 534 ... Pressure chamber, 535 ... Valve body, 536 ... Spring, 537 ... Diaphragm, 54 ... Circulation pump (an example of a flow mechanism), 55 ... switching valve, 56 ... three-way valve, 60 ... control part, 100 ... liquid container, 101 ... storage element, 102 ... housing, 110 ... liquid container, 111 ... outlet part, 112 ... second filter, 113 ... reverse Stop valve 121, outlet port, 122, outlet channel, 131, inlet port, 132, inlet channel, 140, filter part, 141, first filter (an example of filter), 142, inlet side filter chamber, 143 ... Exit port side filter chamber, 144 ... Inlet, 145 ... Outlet, 151 ... Seal member, 152 ... Valve member, 153 ... Spring member, 160 ... Filter part, 162 ... Inlet side Filter chamber, 163... Outlet port side filter chamber, 170... Filter portion, 172... Inlet port side filter chamber, 173 .. outlet port side filter chamber, 174 .. communication hole, 175. ... Inlet port side filter chamber, 183 ... Outlet port side filter chamber, 190 ... Filter part, 191 ... First filter (an example of filter), 192 ... Inlet port side filter chamber, 193 ... Outlet port side filter chamber, Bu ... Bubble , C: Liquid storage amount, Cd: Specified value, F1: Supply direction, F2: Feedback direction, F3: Derivation direction, F4: Circulation direction, M: Medium, W: Width direction, X: Scanning direction, Y: Conveyance direction , Z: Vertical direction.

Claims (7)

A return flow path connected to the supply flow path so as to form a supply flow path that is connected to the liquid ejection section that ejects the liquid so that the liquid can be supplied, and a circulation flow path that circulates the liquid together with the supply flow path. A liquid container that is detachably attached to a liquid ejecting apparatus including a path,
A liquid container for containing the liquid;
An outlet connected to the supply flow path;
A lead-out flow path connecting the liquid container and the lead-out port;
An inlet connected to the return flow path;
An introduction channel connecting the introduction port and the outlet channel;
A liquid container, comprising: a filter part having a filter for filtering the liquid, provided in a partial circulation flow path constituting the circulation flow path among the lead-out flow path and the introduction flow path. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the filter portion is filled with the liquid in advance. The filter section is
An inlet side filter chamber on the inlet side of the filter;
An outlet side filter chamber on the outlet side of the filter;
An inflow port for communicating the inlet port side filter chamber and the partial circulation channel;
An outlet for communicating the outlet port side filter chamber and the partial circulation flow path;
3. The outlet according to claim 1, wherein the outlet is disposed closer to the lowermost part than the uppermost part of the outlet-side filter chamber in a state of being mounted on the liquid ejecting apparatus. Liquid container. In the outlet channel, when the direction from the liquid container to the outlet port is the outlet direction,
2. A check valve for restricting the flow of the liquid in a direction opposite to the direction of derivation is provided closer to the liquid container side than a connection position between the derivation channel and the introduction channel. The liquid container according to any one of claims 3 to 4. A liquid ejecting section for ejecting liquid;
A supply flow path connected to be able to supply the liquid to the liquid ejection unit;
A return flow path connected to the supply flow path so as to form a circulation flow path for circulating the liquid together with the supply flow path;
A flow mechanism for flowing the fluid in the circulation channel;
A mounting portion to which the liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is mounted;
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: a control unit that drives the flow mechanism and causes the fluid in the circulation flow path to flow in a state where the liquid container is mounted on the mounting unit. In the return flow path, when the direction from the liquid ejecting portion toward the liquid container is a return direction,
When the liquid container is mounted on the mounting unit, the control unit drives the flow mechanism before the liquid is ejected from the liquid ejecting unit, and The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the liquid is caused to flow in the return direction. In the return flow path, when the direction from the liquid ejecting portion toward the liquid container is a return direction,
The control unit drives the flow mechanism to move the liquid in the return flow path in the return direction when the liquid storage amount of the liquid storage unit becomes equal to or less than a specified value smaller than an initial value. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is made to flow.

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